If you’ve seen early colonial architecture and pre-20th century structures, you know that hip and valley roof advantages and disadvantages. True enough, hip roof design pictures show the traditional look of a home that most St Clair Shores residential property owners will want to have. In fact, to make sure it lasts long, you’ll need the help of professional and experienced Clinton Township MI roofing contractors in both installation and mantenance.

However, is a hip and valley roof design still practical for the coming years? Which is better: hip roof vs gable roof?

In this short post, you’ll know:

  • The characteristics of a hip and valley roof
  • What advantages you gain after hip and valley roof construction
  • And a few shortcomings St Clair Shores homeowners must greatly consider

What Is a Hip and Valley Roof?

A hip and valley roof framing is quite common in different St Clair Shores towns and villages. In fact, you’ll see homeowners enjoy hip and valley roof advantages and disadvantages across different suburbs.

Their appearance is a bit more complex than a traditional hip roof. A hip and valley roof’s predecessor creates a pyramid shape usually compatible with square or rectangle-shaped homes common with bungalows.

On the other hand, bungalows with intersecting rectangles will look like two half hip roof designs intersected with one another. Therefore, this design gave birth to the hip and valley roof definition or concept, which many Western country residential properties adopt.

Related: Finding the Right Roof Design for Your St Clair Shores Property

Hip and Valley Roof Advantages and Disadvantages

True enough, if you know about hip and valley roof advantages and disadvantages, you can make a clear decision about using the material. These roof designs are not flawless. On the other hand, they offer distinct advantages others do not possess.

Advantages

Improved Gutter System

In most discussions about hip and valley roof advantages and disadvantages, many understand its completely-sloped structures greatly contributing to rainwater management.

In St Clair Shores, properties face a humid continental climate bringing heavy rainstorms and cold snowfalls. Therefore, hip and valley roofs will improve roof and property lifespan by delivering all rainwater straight to gutters with unblocked and efficient downspouts. In addition, multiple corners allow homeowners to install multiple downspouts for maximum rainwater management efficiency.

With its lengthy pyramid shape, hip and valley roofs will send down heavy rainfall to the ground without clogging gutters and downspouts too.

The Traditional ‘Home’ Look

True enough, many see the aesthetic positive of the design when talking about hip and valley roof advantages and disadvantages.

If you’ve ever read any Western storybook, you will have seen multiple traditional hip and valley roof architecture. True enough, many of these picture books highlight stories written from the early centuries.

Therefore, most people will perceive hip and valley-roofed homes to have that traditional “home” appearance. Additionally, it showcases the aesthetics of your asphalt shingles or other roofing materials because of its generous width. Certainly, a bright sunny day will only make hip and valley-roofed homes look the best.

french-style clay tile roof

The generous width of hip and valley roofs showcases the beauty of your roofing materials from the curb.

Withstands Strong Windstorms

In most hip and valley roof advantages and disadvantages discussions, many highlight the capability of hip and valley roofs when it comes to diagonal brace installation.

Contractors use and will advise homeowners to install these braces to prevent possible heavy roof damage from storms with high wind speeds to possible grazing tornadoes. True enough, these braces add density that prevents lift from happening.

However, hip and valley roofs have a self-bracing capability because of their density. In addition, their shape prevents any possible lift from strong winds.

A More Spacious Home

Most people compare hip and valley advantages and disadvantages to that of flat roofs. However, one big disadvantage of flat roofs is it takes up space.

Hip and valley roofs introduce a spacious attic. In addition, the generous width of hip and valley roofs allows homeowners to install dormer nests or install beautiful skylights across the lengthy width.

True enough, homeowners can eliminate the creation of an attic and instead have a high-headroom property that improves the interior aesthetic of their home.

Disadvantages

Leak Risks Increase

Hip and valley roofs have multiple valleys that help lead rainwater flow into gutters and downspouts. However, properties with mechanically-fastened or fully-adhered systems such as EPDM roofs are at risk of heavy leaks.

For example, fully-adhered underlayments will cause leaks because of the huge number of seams that do not overlap along the valleys of the roof.

Roofs that have numerous seams will always be at risk of heavy leaks. Therefore, if you decide to use a hip and valley roof design, you will need effective leak management. In fact, including leaks in your roofing insurance will be greatly helpful.

a hip and valley roof traditional look

Multiple underlayment seams also mean higher risk of leaks. However, you still get an aesthetically-sound roof out of hip and valley roofs.

Quite Expensive to Construct

Hip and valley roofs have high densities that prevent windstorms from lifting it off the property. However, their density will increase construction costs.

Any reputable contractor will advise homeowners to construct additional roofing joists. In turn, your property can handle the weight of the durable roof.

Additionally, your property aesthetics improve with hip and valley roof designs. While it showcases the natural beauty of your roofing materials, the design requires more roofing materials to complete its construction.

True enough, real estate agents choose hip and valley roof designs where possible to increase the appeal of remodeled properties. However, they’re hefty investments and it pays to be aware of this fact.

a church with a hip roof and belfry

Old churches mostly use hip roofs like this one. However, some use hip and valley roof designs too.

Extended Labor Time

In addition to added construction and material expenses, hip and valley roofs mean additional labor hours for your roofers.

Furthermore, hip and valley roofs are complex roofing designs that require experienced specialists to do the task. Veteran roofers that install the traditional roof design will cost more than lesser-experienced competition.

However, despite the added expenses, you’re making an investment on a roof that can guarantee at least a century of effective roof protection and value.

Should You Get a Hip and Valley Roof?

A hip and valley roof offers excellent advantages for any residential property. However, it is quite expensive to construct.

On the other hand, if you’re willing to make an investment towards durability and property longevity, then hip and valley roofs are your best bet.

The installation process is the most important process to lengthening the lifespan of your roof materials and executing the proper design. If you haven’t found a trusty contractor yet, you can trust Miller’s Home Improvement to effectively install your hip and valley roof.

We’re a decades-experienced contractor specializing on residential roof recovery and replacement. Give us a call today!